BBC Studios Director of Audio Bob Shennan to exit broadcaster after two stints spanning 36 years
Long time BBC Chief executive Bob Shennan will leave the British broadcaster and media company at the end of March.
Formerly BBC Music and Broadcasting Director, Shennan was promoted to BBC Group CEO in March 2019 and BBC Studios Sound Director in April 2022.
As BBC Group CEO, Shennan is responsible for strategy, policy, legal, franchise, business affairs and partnerships at the broadcaster.
According to the Radio Today, the role of Sound Director for BBC Studios was created in early 2022 ‘with the aim of growing BBC Studio’s audio business internationally and attracting new talent to the audio world’.
Sharing the news of his departure from the BBC in a Linkedin post on Tuesday (January 10), Shennan said he was “really looking forward to [his] next chapter,” but did not reveal what his next move would be.
Shennan was promoted to Director of Radio and Music in October 2016.
Prior to that, he was Controller of Radio 2, Asian Network and 6 Music and Director of BBC Music.
Shennan’s career with the BBC began in 1987 and he went on to take on a variety of senior roles, including BBC Sport Head from 1998 to 2000.
As Director of Radio and Music, Shennan oversaw a wide range of BBC channels and events, including BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 live, digital stations 1Xtra, 6Music , BBC Radio 4 Extra, 5 live sports extra and Asia Network, as well as BBC Performances Groups, BBC Proms, BBC Music and radio production.
“Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have hosted BBC Sport, Radio 5 Live, Radio 2, 6 Music and the Asian Network.”
Bob Shennan
In a statement published through LinkedIn On Tuesday (January 10), Shennan said: “It is a privilege as well as a great pleasure to do so much work at the most important media organization on the planet.”
He added: “Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have hosted BBC Sport, Radio 5 Live, Radio 2, 6 Music and the Asian Network. I have been a Trustee of Children in Need for the past 12 years and have worked more recently, first as Director of BBC Radio and BBC Music, then as Group CEO.
“Thank you for all your support and friendship. I’m really looking forward to my next chapter. More on that very soon. Up and up.”Global Music Business
